Mosè di Michelangelo

Michelangelo's Moses is a marble statue located in the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli, depicting the biblical prophet in a seated position. The figure exhibits a studied pose with the right leg extended and the left balanced only on its toes, while the tablets of law rest in the right hand, and the left arm rests across the body.

Michelangelo carved this statue between 1513 and 1515 as part of Pope Julius II's tomb, a project that spanned approximately 40 years of work. The original plan was far grander, but was eventually simplified, making the Moses the central focus of the monument.

The statue portrays the biblical prophet in a seated position, clutching the tablets of law with an expression of stern authority and command. Visitors often notice and discuss the horns atop his head, a detail stemming from a medieval translation error that has become part of this work's visual identity.

The statue is displayed inside the basilica and enhanced by natural light that highlights its carved details and features. Visitors can view it from multiple angles since it is centrally positioned within the church, and the basilica is located in the easily accessible Monti district.

A curious legend claims that when Michelangelo finished this work, he was so impressed by its realism that he struck the knee with a hammer and asked why it would not speak. This anecdote reveals the unusual emotional connection the artist felt toward his creation and has been recounted for centuries.